Hollywood loves Sinners

An R-rated vampire film featuring impaling, burning, occultism, profanity, drinking, smoking, racism, sex, gushing blood and other horror has received 16 nominations from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, more than any other film in the organization’s 98-year history. It’s a rare film that succeeded among both critics and viewers, bringing in $363 million globally and becoming the 12th-highest grossing horror movie ever. The Academy usually does not nominate such a movie for many Oscars—considered the most prestigious film award in the world—yet this film received more nominations than such mainstream movies as Titanic. The profusion of nominations for Sinners reflects not only the morals of the Academy but also of viewers. For more on our growing obsession with violence and horror, read “These Violent Delights.”